Experience the Best of Kansas City this summer with living history, thought-provoking exhibits, and family fun.
Note: We are looking forward to each event on this list. They are numbered to correspond with their position on the map, not in order of preference. We love them all.
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Auschwitz Exhibition at Union Station
Opening June 14, Auschwitz Exhibition is a groundbreaking exhibition bringing together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and museums from around the world.
Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust ever presented in North America, and an unparalleled opportunity to confront the singular face of human evil—one that arose not long ago and not far away.
The exhibition explores the dual identity of the camp as a physical location—the largest documented mass murder site in human history—and as a symbol of the borderless manifestation of hatred and human barbarity.
Featuring more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs, the exhibition allows visitors to experience artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, including hundreds of personal items—such as suitcases, eyeglasses, and shoes—that belonged to survivors and victims of Auschwitz. Other artifacts include concrete posts that were part of the fence of the Auschwitz camp; fragments of an original barrack for prisoners from the Auschwitz III-Monowitz camp; a desk and other possessions of the first and the longest serving Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss; a gas mask used by the SS; Picasso’s Lithograph of Prisoner; and an original German-made Model 2 freight train car used for the deportation of Jews to the ghettos and extermination camps in occupied Poland.
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Under the Sea Exhibit at Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MissouriPlunge into a fun, creative environment in this free exhibit that will delight kids who love to explore the deep blue sea. Discover buried treasure in a sunken pirate ship, ride a dolphin and seahorses, paddle your way to the mermaid's house, explore in the submarine, and many more aquatic adventures. It's fathoms of fun, and it's totally free! Crown Center Shops, Showplace, Level 1. Open Monday – Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, Noon to 5pm. FREE. 816-274-8444.
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Worlds of Fun is open for the season!
Enjoy Kansas City’s amusement park with 235 acres of family rides, thrill rides, and waterslides, including seven world-class rollercoasters and admission Oceans of Fun, the city’s first waterpark.
Your senses come alive as you enter the gate, the sights and sounds take over, and the little ones in your family take your hand. Breathtaking views from towering coasters, hair-raising thrill rides, and a Planet Snoopy kids area that is the playground for new memories.
Enjoy season-long access and free parking to Worlds of Fun with a Gold Season Pass, including seasonal events Grand Carnivale and Halloween Haunt.
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Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch
Strawberry Picking at Fun Farm
The Fun Farm is home to a U-Pick Strawberry Patch (and seasonal apple orchard and pumpkin patch). Over 300 acres of farm fun! Visit the biggest farm - out in the country! Farm Animals and Outdoor Games Corn Maze, Carousel, Cow-Train Country Store, Mums and Decor Live Music, Pig Races Tipsy Cow Shack- Wine & Beer Fresh Honey, Farm Foods & Gift Baskets New Outdoor Attractions! Read our review of Fun Farm in Kearney here.
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Oceans of Fun is open for the season!
Splash into SUMMER FUN at Kansas City’s premier outdoor water park!
With waves of fun from mild to wild, Oceans of Fun offers AMAZING for everyone in the family. Extreme water slides appeal to thrill seekers and kiddos love our pint-sized slides, geysers, and foundations at Crocodile Isle. Float along on our Caribbean Cooler lazy river and catch some waves at fan favorite, Surf City Wave Pool.
NEW for 2021 is Riptide Raceway, the world’s longest mat racing waterslide. From five stories high, racers will speed down 486 feet in enclosed, winding tubes and around a 360-degree loop before an epic, splashdown finish.
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Koalas are HERE at Kansas City Zoo
Koalas are back in Kansas City! Two adorable marsupials are calling the Zoo home through November. Two koalas traveled to Kansas City from the San Diego Zoo. Thackory, 10 and Chuckels (sic) 7, both males, will be spending this summer at the Kansas City Zoo. They spent the last 30 days getting accustomed to their summer abode and the new Zookeepers who will be taking great care of them. A Zookeeper from the San Diego Zoo also traveled to Kansas City to ease the transition. Koalas have a strict diet, eating only young eucalyptus leaves. Those leaves must be fresh, and since eucalyptus doesn’t grow in Kansas City, their diets must be flown in twice a week from Florida. Due to this fact koalas can’t spend their winters at the Kansas City Zoo. They are on loan to us through the San Diego Koala Conservation and Education Program. While they can’t be permanent residents of Kansas City, they will call the Zoo home through November. Plan your trip to visit them today!
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Pirates Ahoy! at Legoland
Visit Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City: This family-friendly attraction offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2-to 3-hour indoor experience. Based on the ever-popular Lego® brick, Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of interactive play areas. Tip: Purchase tickets online and save $5 with promo code: Parent20.
In June, LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s ‘Pirates Ahoy!’ invites families to join the pirate crew and take the ultimate pirate challenge through scavenger hunts, creating your own LEGO® pirate ship, pirate dance parties, making their own action-packed LEGO® pirate movie, and more! Read our review of Pirates Ahoy! here.
guests can sail into LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Kansas City for all new Pirates events! The limited-time experiences, open now through the end of June, allows guests to tackle new pirate challenges, discover what it’s like to be a pirate, and much more!
Read our review of Pirates Ahoy! here.
Pirate's Ahoy Activities Includes:
- Build a pirate ship, and create a mini pirate adventure stop-motion movie
- Go on the search in a scavenger hunt in MINILAND
- Create pirate style mosaics in the art gallery, and enjoy pirate themed treats and snacks in our coffee shop
- And of course, don't forget to enjoy special pirate photo spots!
- Meet and greet LEGO pirate (select dates & times coming soon)
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Passport to Fun: Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Missourior those ready to enjoy a vacation or staycation, the Crown Center Passport to Summer Fun offers a great way to discover and experience all there is to do at Crown Center, especially for families with children. The Passport to Summer Fun booklet contains different “missions” to complete, such as grabbing a selfie with a sea turtle at SEA LIFE Aquarium, taking in a performance of "Dragons Love Tacos" at The Coterie Theatre, or eating at Crown Center’s restaurants. Each mission will have a stamp to add to the Passport when the activity requirements are met. By completing six missions, guests can earn a $25 Crown Center Gift Card, or by completing 10 missions, they can earn a $50 Crown Center Gift Card*. For promotion details and to register for a passport, visit CrownCenter.com/passport or stop by Crown Center Customer Service, Crown Center Shops, Level 2, during shop hours. Valid May 29 – Sept. 6, 2021. 816-274-8444.
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Pirates Ahoy! at Sea Life
Visit Sea Life: This aquarium experience will get you up close and face-to-face with amazing underwater creatures such as sharks, octopus, green sea turtle named Gertrude, stingrays, sea stars, seahorses, jellyfish and thousands of colorful fish! A favorite attraction is the Interactive Rockpool Experience, where you are able to touch animals like sea stars and sea urchins with the help of a Sea Life Educator! Tip: Purchase tickets online and save $5 with promo code: Parent20.
Experience Pirates Ahoy! at Sea Life through the month of June. The limited-time experiences, open now through the end of June, allows guests to tackle new pirate challenges, discover what it’s like to be a pirate, and much more!
Read our review of Pirates Ahoy! here.
SEA LIFE’s Pirate Party transforms guests into a pirate with themed names, an area to create a pirate crab, tie a knot strong enough to hold a ship in place, and explore the seas where pirates roamed. Both events are included with admission.
Pirate Event Activities Include:
- Transform into a pirate with themed names and tattoos*!
- Create your own cardboard pirate crab and sword*
- Tie a knot strong enough to hold a pirate ship in place
- Explore the seas where pirates voyaged and see what creatures they encountered
- Pick up your very own pirate gear, available for purchase in our Retail shop.
Read our review of Pirates Ahoy! here.
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Visit Springfield for 2 Nights, the 3rd is On Us!
Take a trip to Springfield, Missouri by June 27, 2021 and get a night on us! Visit at least 3 of our participating attractions, 3 participating food & drink establishments and stay at least 2 nights in a participating hotel, and get one night completely free! See the list of participating hotels and business and learn more about the program with this coupon. See you in Springfield!
As the pulse of the Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri is rooted in the celebration of family, friends and life's genuine moments. A regional hub with large city amenities and small town hospitality, our commitment is towards creating moments that make life big and full. With intriguing attractions, a diverse culinary scene, unique shopping and an ode to classic Americana heritage, Springfield is a destination you will enjoy while feeling right at home.
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Tails & Tales: Olathe Public Library Summer Reading Program
Olathe Public Library's Summer Reading Program launches on May 17! Explore the world of stories this summer with the Olathe Public Library. Fairy tales, folk tales, funny stories, scary stories, adventures, mysteries, and so much more. Open a book and discover a new world! All ages can track their reading online this summer to win prizes.
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Tails & Tales: Kansas City Kansas Public Library Summer Reading Program
Tails & Tales: Kansas City Kansas Public Library Summer Reading Program on May 17 Pre-registration for the program begins in Beanstack and paper logs will be available for pick up June 1st-July 31st: Read and log your books! Find Tails and Tales at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (KCKPL) with our Summer Reading Program! Readers of all ages are invited to participate by reading books, logging your books or minutes read, and completing online activities to earn a prize pack and earn entries into the grand prize drawing!
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Show Me: Summer Library Program
From June 1 through Aug. 24, the Mid-Continent Public Libraries Summer Learning Program will take place for kids and teens from birth to 19 years of age, and adults over 19. This year, Mid-Continent Public Library’s Summer Library Program is focused on reading at least 20 minutes every day! Daily reading is a great way to keep kids engaged and active during the summer and to combat learning loss and promote school readiness. To recognize Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021, we want you to “Show Me” you read! Every reader (age 0-19) who reads for 20 minutes a day for 20 days will receive a free book and will be entered into a branch drawing to win a four-pack of tickets from one of the Library’s Community partners, including Science City, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, and the Kansas City Zoo! Read another 20 days, and you’ll get a second free book and be entered to win a grand prize from one of the Library’s Community partners. And, if you can read 20 minutes per day for another 20 days (total of 60 days), you’ll get a third free book and you’ll be entered into a branch drawing for a Kindle Fire! Adults (20+) can participate either for their own pleasure or to model good reading habits for children and teens in their home! If you read at least 20 minutes a day for 60 days between June 1 and August 24, you will earn a commemorative Summer Library Program enamel pin, plus a chance to win tickets from the Library’s Community Partners and Throwback Throwdown Concert tickets from KFKF. Prize drawings will take place after the program and will be conducted from all adult participants who complete the reading requirements and meet the winner criteria (live in the greater Kansas City area and have an active email address or phone number). Prizes must be picked up in person at branches. Online logging must be completed—or paper logs turned in—by August 24, 2021, to qualify for prizes.
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Summer Reading with Johnson County Libraries
June 5 - July 31: The Summer Reading Program is an initiative that aims to promote reading and literacy to children, teens and adults. Each summer, Johnson County Library offers programs and events connected to the Summer Reading theme, which this year is Tails and Tales. The theme is chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program and adopted by libraries across the country. The Summer Reading Program kicks off virtually Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m., with noted author and educator Kwame Alexander as the keynote speaker and live entertainment and trivia to follow. The grand finale of our 2021 Summer Reading Tales and Tails will be Saturday, July 31. We’ll showcase our contest winners, test our trivia mettle, and enjoy a special feature storytime with Sparkle the unicorn and friends. The program will include virtual events throughout the summer and contests. Like last year, Summer Reading books will not be distributed in at Library branches due to COVID-19 precautions. We will again work with community partners like school districts, rec centers and non-profit organizations to give away books at their events and locations. Visit jocolibrary.org for more information.
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Family Fun Nights at Mahaffie: Thursdays in June & July
A different theme is featured each week. Thanks to support from the Mahaffie Foundation, this event is FREE to attend! Stagecoach rides are $3/person.
We're open from 6 to 8 p.m. Check back on this website for an updated list of activities.
- 1860s living history such as:
- visiting the Mahaffie house,
- Agricultural Heritage Livestock Barn
- cookstove demonstrations
- stagecoach rides*.
- Activities* requiring an extra fee:
- Stagecoach rides, all ages, $3/person ages 3 & up
- Making an 'S' Hook in the blacksmith shop, ages 8 & up, $4/hook
You are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic. Please leave your pets at home.
*Activities and schedule are subject to change.
*Purchase activity tickets in the Heritage Center using cash, check or credit card. Activity tickets are non-refundable but can be used for other Thursday night activities. Each activity ticket is $1.
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Thunder Over the Heartland
6510 SE Forbes Ave., Topeka, KansasJune 26 & 27: From vintage planes to jets, this event is power-packed with performers from across the country geared at giving you and your family a weekend to remember for a long time! Enjoy the best air show in town!
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Gnomes, Clay and Painting!
Toddler Thursdays: On Thursdays from 10-2, Toddlers (5 and under) get to paint one of our selected items for just $10.
Sculpt Gnomes: Ceramic Cafe is already planning our Gnome Hunt 2022!. They will need thousands of gnomes next Spring. Girls Scouts, community service groups, church groups, sports teams, corporate groups, book clubs, neighborhood groups, YOUR GROUPS are invited to come make gnomes. Groups of 8 or more are invited to make gnomes (for FREE). Ceramic Cafe will keep the gnomes and use them in next year's Gnome Hunt!
About Ceramica Cafe: Pottery painting and glass fusing. Walk-ins welcome. Great for birthdays and group events too. Products include bisque, stoneware, clay and glass fusion.
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Ernie Miller Nature Center Amphitheater Programs
June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 9, 16, 23, & 30 - Bring the family to the new amphitheater this summer for affordable entertainment and educational experiences. Preregistration required.
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KC Watersports
KC Watersports is the best wakeboarding destination in the midwest. For beginners, we offer day camps and lessons to perfect your skills. For our experts, you won’t find a more challenging set of rails, ramps, and sliders anywhere in the US.
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"Step Right Up!" at Science City
Science City is now home to a BRAND NEW carnival-themed exhibit, "Step Right Up!"
"Step Right Up!" is the sixth exhibit produced at Science City through the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition. The design was inspired by the 2019 Battle of the Brains grand prize-winning students from Tonganoxie Middle School whose idea was brought to life as an amazing new $1 million exhibit! Plan your visit to Science City now! Hours are Wednesday thru Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm. With limited capacity, please purchase tickets online in advance in order to ensure admission. Masks are required for ages five plus.
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